Johnston’s Shutout Leads to ACC Pitcher of the Week Honors

GREENSBORO, N.C. – After throwing his first career complete game shutout in Saturday’s 3-0win against Virginia, top-ranked NC State baseball’s Reid Johnston has been named the ACC Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

“Reid was the story of the game,” head coach Elliott Avent said following Saturday’s win. “He threw just over 100 pitches, only walked one and just threw strikes. He commanded the strike zone and used his changeup very effectively. He was very, very good.”

Johnston was phenomenal on the mound against the Cavaliers, as he accomplished something he had never done – throwing a complete game shutout. The sophomore pounded the strike zone early and often, as he matched his career high with seven strikeouts and only walked one batter. The one batter he walked was the lone three-ball count he had on the night and it was in the first inning, as Johnston fired 72 strikes on 104 pitches.

It was also the longest outing of his career, surpassing his previous career long of 6.2 innings pitched in a win at Duke last season. He struck out the side in the top of the first and that provided him all the momentum he needed to accomplish the first shutout for a Wolfpack pitcher since June 1, 2013, when Carlos Ródon shut out William & Mary in the NCAA Regional.

“I had so much adrenaline in the ninth inning that I could hardly control myself,” said Johnston. “I was trying to take it pitch-by-pitch and not get too hyped up. I try to lock in and visualize what I need to do and that helped.

“I always try to pound the strike zone and if they hit it, they hit it.”

Additionally, it was just the second shutout of the season by an ACC pitcher and just one of five complete games by a pitcher from the conference. He surrendered just six hits, and all were singles. Johnson retired the side in order four times and struck out the side once. 

His strong outing helped improve his earned run average (ERA) from 2.93 to 2.21, which ranks among the top 10 in the ACC, and he’s a perfect 4-0 on the year.

Johnston earns the first pitcher of the week honor of his young career and the second of the season for a Wolfpack pitcher, as Jason Parker earned the award on March 18.

NC State returns to action Tuesday eveningagainst the South Carolina Gamecocks. The matchup will be played at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte, home of the Charlotte Knights. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.